Family: Missing man's body found buried at Cedar Rapids home

Family members said Friday that the human remains found at a Cedar Rapids home this week are those of a missing Walker man.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office, along with other agencies, searched a home at 4069 Soutter Ave SE in Cedar Rapids Thursday and found the remains buried there. The body has been taken to the state medical examiner's office for identification.

"it appears the body may have a connection to the disappearance of Christopher Bagley, who went missing December 14, 2018," the sheriff's office said in a release.

Chris's father, Stewart, said in a message, "it is with heartfelt sorrow the Bagley family has to announce that the body of Chris has been found."

I AM FOUND !!! It is with heart felt sorrow the Bagley family has to announce that the body of Chris has been found....

"I'm sure there a lot of questions people have and the answers will come out over time," Courtney Bagley, Chris's wife, said in a statement Friday afternoon. "But we are happy that this part of our nightmare is over."

The Linn County Sheriff's Office used shovels, a pickaxe, and even a skid loader to help in the search at the Soutter Ave SE home, according to neighbors. Investigators have not said what led them to search at that home.

Investigators have also not named any suspect or announced any arrests connected to the search or the remains.

Bagley's family last saw him leaving with an acquaintance on December 14 and offered a $25,000 reward for his safe return. Rumors swirled for weeks on whether Bagley was connected to drugs or possibly ran off with friends.

"You don't even know what to think because it's just so bizarre," said Courtney Bagley, holding back tears in an interview in January. "Everything is just so all over the place. I don't even know where these stories come from."

Bagley's disappearance has been hardest on his wife and kids. He has a son Mason, 8, and a daughter, Sophia, who is four. His wife said she's trying to stay strong for the little ones.

"I'm emotional," Courtney said. "We just want him home and to resume a little bit of normalcy."